Volunteer volunteer roles in west end, greater london
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.
We are looking to recruit an Administration Volunteer for the West Hertfordshire Group. Our Administration Volunteers are the linchpin for our local groups’ activities. They act as the first point of contact and they make sure all relevant information is circulated to other volunteers and members. And they play an important role in keeping our data and details up to date to comply with data protection legislation.
In this role you’ll develop your administration and organisation skills. Most importantly you’ll be help your local group run efficiently, so they can keep providing valuable services to our MS community.
Time Commitment
We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.
You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.
Please apply online.
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you passionate about fitness and the positive impact it can have on others? Do you hold a fitness qualification and interested in volunteering your time to support people in crisis? If so, we have the perfect role for you!
We know that exercise releases happy endorphins that support us to improve our mood. It also helps reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, provides an opportunity to connect with others and build friendships. Volunteering with us at Hestia, will mean you will play a vital role in supporting people’s overall wellbeing!
We are recruiting volunteers to coordinate and facilitate fitness and general wellbeing sessions online!
What you will be doing
- Design session plans which will enable group members to increase fitness and their general well-being
- Able to recognise the needs of beginners and mixed age/ability groups
- Ensure that everyone taking part has completed a health and wellbeing form, which includes referring those with existing health issues to their GP
- Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team
The skills you need
- A skilled and qualified Fitness Instructor
- Good communication skills
- Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
- Calm and patient approach
- Willing to participate in supervision and to liaise with Hestia staff as required
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you interested in facilitating a peer support group for people who are struggling with their mental health? We are looking for passionate volunteers to facilitate a weekly group, to discuss topics relating to mental health. We are hoping to find someone who has either ‘lived experience’ of mental health issues and is now at a positive place with their own recovery or someone who has good knowledge of mental health and looking to support others.
We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.
In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.
We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.#
What you will be doing
- Facilitating weekly peer support groups, covering topics related to mental health.
- To encourage participation and to provide focus and guidance for discussions within the group
- To negotiate/facilitate conflicts or disagreements that may arise during group meetings
The skills you need
- Strong listening and communication skills
- Ability to create and maintain a safe environment where the participants' thoughts and feelings are valued, and group members are treated with fairness, equity and respect
- Lived experience of mental health or desire to learn
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The difference you will make to cats and people
Our social media volunteers use their passion and knowledge of social media to promote the activities of local volunteer teams though various channels. They directly help cats by raising awareness of Cats Protection. A higher profile can help us raise the funds we need for our work, ensure people know they can adopt a cat from us, help promote neutering and help as many people as possible learn more about feline welfare.
You can expect us to
- Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
- Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
- Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
- Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities
We are here to help people see the world through cats’ eyes
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Us
Suicide Awareness Prevention UK (SAPUK) is a dedicated, non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC), established in 2016, focused on providing support to individuals dealing with suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Our goal is to guide people from distress toward hope, helping them regain the strength to live their lives to the fullest.
Overview
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Fundraising Volunteer to join our team. The ideal candidate will play a vital role in developing and implementing fundraising strategies to support our mission. This position requires excellent communication skills, a strong ability to build relationships, and a commitment to achieving fundraising goals. The Fundraiser will engage with various stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and community members, to promote our cause and secure financial support.
Duties
- Develop and execute fundraising campaigns that align with the organisation's objectives.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors through effective communication and engagement strategies.
- Utilise software tools such as Raiser's Edge for tracking donations, managing donor information, and reporting on fundraising activities.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to create promotional materials that highlight fundraising initiatives.
- Organise fundraising events, including planning logistics, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring successful execution.
- Conduct outreach efforts to engage the community and raise awareness about the organisation's mission.
- Provide exceptional customer service to donors and stakeholders, addressing inquiries and fostering positive relationships.
- Monitor market trends in fundraising to identify new opportunities for growth and engagement.
Qualifications
- Proven experience in fundraising or a related field is preferred.
- Strong skills in relationship management and public relations.
- Proficiency in using software tools such as Raiser's Edge or similar fundraising platforms.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to engage diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team environment while also being self-motivated.
- Strong organisational skills with attention to detail in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- A passion for the organisation's mission and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: Up to £1.00 per year
Expected hours: No less than 2 per week
Benefits:
- Work from home
Experience:
- Fundraising: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: Remote
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Main activities/tasks:
- Plan, organize and run sessions for clients.
- Engage with clients in a positive manner and promote healthy habits.
- Report back to the project coordinator on session feedback and outcomes.
Who are we looking for?
- You will have some experience in leading Zumba classes.
- No fluency in Spanish or Portuguese needed.
- You will have a friendly and sympathetic personality and will be enthusiastic to work with a team of passionate volunteers.
- You will have the ability to listen, communicate and engage with people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, cultures and abilities with a non-judgemental approach – that is culturally sensitive and aware of individual circumstances and needs.
- You will be sensitive when working with vulnerable people and will have a genuine interest in promoting their well-being and independence.
- Commitment of at least 3 months.
What the volunteer would gain from the volunteering opportunity:
- Volunteer as part of a team in a friendly and dynamic environment.
- Have the chance to work with a variety of different people and make a real difference to their lives.
- Learn and develop skills that could be helpful for future employment opportunities or further learning.
- Gain valuable knowledge and experience of working in the Charity sector.
- Have the possibility to practice other languages.
- A reference after 3 months of volunteering.
- Gain experience working in a multi-cultural/multi-lingual environment, which is highly valued by recruiters.
- Increase your own self-confidence.
- Attend social and cultural events organised by LADPP.
- Make friends and have fun!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you enjoy organising? Would you like to play a key role in making sure things get done!
Our volunteer administrators are instrumental to all the work that we do across Hestia. You will have the opportunity to support staff with a wide range of desk-based and administrative tasks. These behind-the-scenes roles provide essential support in ensuring that those who we work with access the support they require to rebuild their lives beyond crisis.
We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.
In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.
We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.
What you will be doing
- To support with administration, texting and emailing information to service users, volunteers, and staff
- Support with updating and inputting data into spreadsheets
- Support with making phone calls to follow up and gather needed information.
The skills you need
- Good communication skills
- Good organisation and administrative skills
- Able to maintain good working relationships
- Basic IT skills, comfortable using spreadsheets and emailing
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.




Are you looking for a meaningful, flexible way to support others? Join the Talking Bubble Project and help tackle loneliness through the power of a simple phone call.
Since the pandemic, many befriending services have wound down—but Talking Bubble remains one of the few projects still offering regular, phone-based companionship to those who need it most. Demand for this kind of support remains high, and we’re actively looking for kind, compassionate English-speaking volunteers to help meet this growing need.
What is the Talking Bubble Project?
☎︎ It’s a phone-based befriending service that connects volunteers with older adults and vulnerable individuals across the UK who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation. By committing just a little time each week, you can offer someone the warmth of conversation and a regular point of connection.
Why Volunteer With Us?
✔ Make a genuine impact on someone's life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours from the comfort of your home
✔ Receive full training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Boost your sense of purpose and community
What You’ll Need
✅ No experience required—just a kind heart, a listening ear, and a willingness to talk
✅ Volunteers must complete Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training and undergo a DBS check—we cover the cost of both
✅ Must be a UK resident
How to Get Involved
Apply now via the CharityJob website, or contact us directly for more information. Together, we can keep connection alive—one call at a time.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a qualified Yoga Instructor who would enjoy facilitating weekly sessions to help individuals with their general well-being. This is an opportunity for you to share techniques with others.
Practicing yoga and mindfulness aim to quiet the mind in order to cultivate a deeper connection to and understanding of oneself. They both help with breathing techniques, pay attention to bodily sensations and learn to accept reality as it is in that moment. Mindfulness refers to focusing your attention on what you are experiencing in the present moment without judging yourself. Practicing yoga has been shown to increase mindfulness not just in class session, but in other areas of a person's life.
We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.
In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.
We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.
What you will be doing
- Design session plans enabling all group members to increase fitness, suppleness and help them relax
- Teach the group yoga postures and breathing techniques which allow a range of mixed ages and abilities to participate
- Inspire and motivate people to attend and get involved in the group activities where possible and encourage the group to help design future sessions
- Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team
The skills you need
- Skilled and qualified Yoga Instructor
- Good communication skills
- Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you creative? Would you like to support others to express their emotions through arts and crafting?
Art plays a valuable role in mental wellbeing with research showing that crafting, regardless of the medium you use can boost your mood, self-confidence and reduce stress overall. Taking part in art-based activities increases our resilience and engages us in the here and now. You will be supporting people to express their emotions, provide a time for people to relax and feel proud of their final art products!
We are recruiting for a volunteer to support and facilitate an art and craft group.
We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.
In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.
We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.
What you will be doing
- To prepare arts and craft sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
- Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their arts and craft skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
- Encourage individuals to continue independent activities
The skills you need
- Experience of arts and/or crafts either in a professional, educational, or personal level
- Able to collaborate with individuals to plan an art group session and facilitate confidently
- A calm and patient manner
- Ability to provide a trusting, open, kind-hearted atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
- An effective communicator with a patient and sympathetic nature
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Could you be the person who helps a young man rewrite his future?
At Trailblazers, we believe in second chances. Since 1998, we’ve been mentoring young men in prison to reduce re-offending and inspire new futures. Through a programme of 1:1 mentoring and practical support, we support men aged 18–35 during the last 6 months of their sentence and for up to 12 months after release.
In London, our services run at HMP Brixton and HMPYOI Isis, and we’re looking for volunteer mentors who can commit half a day per week to help someone change their life.
What You’ll Do
- Be a positive and empathetic role model whilst supporting someone to fulfil their potential
- Meet regularly to build a supportive, consistent relationship with a mentee for a minimum of 12 months
- Help set goals and celebrate achievements
- Support reintegration into the community, education, and employment
- Attend and participate fully in mentor training and develop an understanding of the role, responsibilities and boundaries of a volunteer mentor
- Engage with ongoing support and supervision sessions to regularly review performance within mentoring relationships
- Perform your role in line with the aims of Trailblazers, following relevant policies and procedures and reporting safeguarding concerns immediately
- Keep mentoring session notes and communicate regularly with Trailblazers staff
Mentoring sessions last around 1 hour per week, with additional time needed for travel and liaison. We ask for a 12-month commitment to ensure consistency for the mentee.
Why It Matters
The national re-offending rate is up to 55%. For those with a Trailblazers mentor, it drops to just 7%. Your time could be the turning point in someone’s life.
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome all backgrounds and skill sets, especially those with experience in:
- The criminal justice system
- Underrepresented communities (including BAME groups)
All we ask if that you are:
- Empathetic, non-judgmental and committed to social change
- Professional but relatable with strong communication skills
- Able to advocate for your mentee and help them to overcome barriers
- Comfortable using basic IT and taking guidance from staff
- Willing to travel and undertake visits for mentoring sessions on a weekly or fortnightly basis
- Committed to supporting one young man for up to a year
Requirements
- Aged 21+
- British citizen (due to prison security checks)
- Live within 30 miles of the prison at which you want to volunteer
- Good level of fitness (prison visits may involve stairs and fast-paced movement)
- Not barred from working with vulnerable adults or children
- If you have lived experience of the criminal justice system, you must be off licence for at least 12 months and not in crisis
- You cannot volunteer at a prison where you were previously a resident
What We Offer
- Full training and ongoing support
- Out-of-pocket expenses covered
- A chance to make a real difference
Ready to be the change?
Visit our website for more information and to apply. We’d love to hear from you.
Trailblazers’ mission is to reduce re-offending and inspire new futures for young men (18-35) leaving prison.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Can you help us by providing a calm, safe, and caring environment for our small furries whilst we find them their fur-ever home?
Often when we think about animal fostering, cats, and dogs spring to mind, but have you ever thought about fostering our smaller animals? The RSPCA received more than 5,000 reports last year about rabbits and other small furries relating to neglect or abandonment and rescued an average of 340 small furries a month! To help us with the rehoming of these small animals, we are actively looking to add to our fantastic team of volunteer fosterers.
As a small animal fosterer, you would play an essential role in providing the animals in our care with a temporary home whilst they are being rehomed. Like us, even small furries have specific needs and requirements, but rest assured, once we have guided you through the fostering process the animal centre will ensure that you have all the necessary guidance, equipment, food, and veterinary care.
What You’ll Be Doing:
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Provide them with care, safe suitable housing, and space for playtime, as outlined in our policies and guidelines.
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Ensure that they are groomed if appropriate and fed and watered.
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Provide them with suitable and clean bedding to keep them cosy.
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Give them lots of attention and plenty of cuddles as they are very sociable animals.
What We’re Looking For:
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Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience of caring for animals.
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Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided.
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For their wellbeing, our small furries may need to be fostered in pairs, so please bear this in mind.
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Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they cannot be so, please let us know if this is the case).
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You should be located in Buckinghamshire or within a reasonable distance.
What’s in It for You?
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You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the small animals in your care.
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Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
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Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and fostering training programme.
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Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.
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The RSPCA is happy to reimburse you for any pre-agreed expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.
Practical Considerations:
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Health & Safety: You’ll need to complete a simple online Health & Safety course before starting the role.
Disclaimer:
Our voluntary roles are subject to:
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An informal interview and trial period.
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Submission of two referees’ contact details.
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Completion of relevant training and assessments for the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are an award winning charity that provides a school-based 1-2-1 mentoring programme for vulnerable young people, helping them to realise their full potential no matter what their circumstances.
Our mentors are volunteers who give just 1 hour a week to mentor the young person they are carefully matched to.
Through no fault of their own, young people who are care-experienced or facing challenges experience a significant gap in outcomes compared to their peers. They aren’t reaching their potential - but 1-2-1 mentoring can change that. Just one hour a week with a consistent, caring adult can boost confidence, academic performance and open doors to a brighter future.
We’re transforming the lives of the young people we support, recognising their talent, we help them to grow and utilise their abilities. We want everyone to get a fair chance at life.
As a mentor you would provide encouragement, reassurance and a safe space to build confidence and self worth, ultimately helping the young person to unlock their potential.
No prior experience is required - we say that if you care, you qualify! If you are good at listening and keen to make a difference, you can mentor. We will provide excellent training and on going support.
By volunteering as a mentor you really can transform the life of a young person who is facing challenges. You will be a caring, positive, consistent adult , a supportive friend, a role model, and a trustworthy listening ear. We are sure that you will also find the role incredibly rewarding whilst also developing your skills in active listening and empathy.
"Everybody's got something to offer. Everybody's got life skills. It doesn't matter where you come from. It was the best thing that I've ever done."
We are looking to recruit volunteer mentors in different locations in Ealing.
If you would like to help young people flourish and make a positive difference to your local community, please do get in touch!
An hour a week - a lifetime of impact!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.
We are looking to recruit an Activities Volunteer for the Croydon Group. As our local group Activities Volunteer you’ll help us to set up activities in the area. Whether you’re serving refreshments, talking to people, registering attendees or collecting payments, you’ll be making sure everyone feel welcome.
In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills. Most importantly you’ll be supporting your local group to run activities that bring friendship and fun to your local MS Community.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.
You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.
Time Commitment
We estimate this role will need up to two hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.
Apply
1. Read through the role description carefully
2. Please apply online
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a dog lover? Do you have the time to help raise a life-changing puppy? Would you like to make a difference to someone's life? If you've answered yes to these questions, then this role could be perfect for you!
As a Puppy Raiser, you'll provide a 6-8 week-old puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You'll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences while providing a loving home.
There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.
What you'll be doing:
- Engaging with our world-class training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
- Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming and feeding him or her.
- Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
- Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of four hours.
- Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
- Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.
- Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.
You'll ideally have:
- A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you'll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
- Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
- Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
- The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home.
- A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.
What you'll get:
- The satisfaction of knowing you're supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
- The rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
- The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme – this can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.
- The opportunity to have a loveable, canine companion, proven to reduce feelings of stress and improve fitness – you’ll be out walking rain or shine!
- The chance to be part of the inspirational Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people and interacting with a community of puppy raisers in your area.
- A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.
s a volunteer you'll have access to our world-class training programme, to implement with your puppy in training, a great bonus for any dog owner! This is delivered in an interactive and engaging manner, using a mixture of different learning techniques virtually e.g., videos, documents and e-learning modules. Examples of the modules you'll have access to include:
- Food manners
- Greeting new visitors
- Being home alone
- Settling in new environments
You'll receive plenty of support from your volunteer manager who will help you work through these training modules with your puppy. We also offer puppy classes for puppy raisers in the local area to get together, share stories and provide refreshers on training techniques.
Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training. We will also pay an optional allowance of up to £100 a year to offset additional costs, and we have working agreements with certain bus and train operating companies, letting you take your puppy on short training journeys free of charge.
Minimum age of applicant: 18.